Scott Lockhart reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.
Fremantle have given retiring duo Shane Parker and Troy Cook the perfect sendoff after defeating Melbourne by 59 points in front of an appreciative Subiaco Oval crowd.
The pair, who announced their retirement together during the week, were given a lap of honor following a convincing performance by the Dockers who will still fail to make the Finals after a disappointing and inconsistent season.
Luke McPharlin was the star for Fremantle kicking five goals in a dominant 22 goal showing up forward by the Dockers, who now sit one game outside the Top Eight with just a game remaining in the home and away season.
Melbourne were yet again disappointing despite a strong start to the match where they led for most of the first term. David Neitz was a late injury concern for the Demons, limping off after what appeared to be yet another knee injury.
Despite the match having little significance in terms of the Finals, both sides came out in an aggressive frame of mind and committed to the free flowing contest. Consistently strong leads up forward from Russell Robertson had Fremantle’s defense under siege as Melbourne found space through the middle of the ground to move the ball freely, but on like so many occasions this season they could not convert their possession dominance to scoreboard pressure.
Strong forward line pressure combined with lackluster defense from Fremantle had Melbourne out to a 13 point lead nearing quarter time as Mathew Pavlich continued to struggle after being moved up the ground despite marking strongly in the forward line. However, two goals deep into the quarter had Fremantle back level at the first change.
Fremantle came out of the quarter time break using the confidence gained in the final few minutes of the opening term to blow Melbourne away in the early stages. A complete performance turn around from the first quarter saw Fremantle kick four goals in the opening eight minutes to place the heat well and truly on the Demons.
Melbourne continued to lament their early misses as Fremantle begin to fire across the ground, getting back into defense in numbers and tackling like a team possessed.
Mathew Pavlich went back into attack and exploited his power advantage over Nathan Carroll to mark strongly and kick consecutive goals as Fremantle looked set to blow the game open.
A lone goal for the quarter for Melbourne from Russell Robertson did nothing to stop the exhausting run of Fremantle as they powered to a 47 point half time lead, their nine goals for the second term their best ever at Subiaco Oval.
The second half began with much feeling and tension, numerous wrestling incidents putting a momentary halt to the free flowing game that was witnessed throughout the first half.
David Neitz stepped up for his team, providing a realistic target up forward for the first time in the match and kicking the opening two goals of the third term to reduce the margin to within five goals for the first time since the middle stages of the second quarter.
Although more competitive than the second term Melbourne still found themselves chasing rather than leading their opponents, giving Fremantle opportunity to move the ball with little contest. Fremantle added a further four goals, including two to Farmer, to Melbourne’s one to lead by 47 and have the game beyond doubt at the final change.
With much of the heat now out of the game in the final term, Fremantle took their foot off the accelerator, creating more stoppages and little opportunity for Melbourne to bring themselves back into the contest.
Fremantle found early goals through Pavlich and Mundy while Melbourne could manage only three goals for the quarter through youngster Michael Newton, Brad Green and Russell Robertson in another disappointing performance. Luke McPharlin capped off a brilliant performance with two late goals, his five for the match matching his career best.
Both sides seasons’ will almost certainly end next week when Fremantle plays a Port Adelaide side vying for a Top Four position, while Melbourne faces Carlton in the final home and away game of the year.
Final Score:
Frem: 5.4 14.6 18.7 22.12 (144)
Melb: 5.4 6.7 9.13 12.13 (85)
Best:
Frem: McPharlin, Pavlich, Bell.
Melb: Brown, McLean, Green.
Goals:
Frem: McPharlin 5, Pavlich Farmer 3, Foster Peake 2, Tarrant Solomon Mundy McManus Gilmore Carr Bell.
Melb: Robertson 3, Neitz Green 2, Ferguson Miller Newton Picket 1.
Umpires: Margetts, McLaren, Avon
Injuries: Neitz (knee), Sylvia (abdominal strain)
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 34, 349 at Subiaco Oval, Perth
Article last changed on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 1:32 AM EDT
